Technology and Innovation Support Centers (TISCs) Report 2017

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TechnologyandInnovationSupportCenters(TISCs)Report2017

Introduction

The Access to Information and Knowledge Division of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is responsible for the TISC program. The program facilitates the access to and the use of technological information, scientific and technical literature, search tools and databases, and builds capacity in developing countries to effectively support innovation, technology transfer, and commercialization-related services. The TISC program significantly contributes to the further development of the WIPO Knowledge Network by providing value added services and specialized platforms and tools for strategic knowledge and innovation management.

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This Annual Report highlights key milestones since the project was launched in 2009 with a focus on the main achievements and developments in the 2016-2017 biennium.

Figure1: Timelineofkeymilestones

TISCs:Whatarethey?

TISCs provide innovators with access to locally based technology information and related services. They foster innovation by building on the rich set of technology information disclosed in patent documents, of which over 100 million have been published to date, and in scientific and technical publications. TISCs may be established within a variety of host institutions, including patent offices, universities, research centres, and science and technology parks.

TISCs:Whatservicesdotheyprovide?

TISCs provide a diverse range of basic and value added innovation support services, helping inventors, researchers, and entrepreneurs unlock their innovative potential.

Figure2: TypesofservicesprovidedbyTISCs

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Figure3: NumberofTISCsprovidingdifferenttypesofservices(Source:TISCDirectory)

NewTISCserviceslaunchedin2017

In 2017, patent analytics were introduced as a new area of value-added services offered by TISCs having reached a more advanced level of maturity. The TISC Directory will introduce patent analytics in the possible range of services provided by the TISCs in 2018.

TISCsandTISCnetworks

Since the TISC program was launched in 2009, 71 countries, out of which 24 are least developed countries (LDCs), have signed Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with WIPO to develop national TISC networks. 638 TISCs have been established during this period, according to information provided by national TISC coordinators.

Figure4:NumberofnationalTISCnetworksandTISCsovertime(Source:ServiceLevelAgreementsandWIPOTISCDirectory)

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This increase in the number of TISCs established under the WIPO TISC Program has been followed by a surge in the number of enquiries received by TISCs.

Figure7:ComparisonoftotalnumberofenquiriesreceivedbyTISCs:2014-2015vs.2016-2017(Source:TISCAnnualProgressandNeedsAssessmentSurveys2014-2017)

Figure5:GrowthinthenumberofnationalTISCnetworks:2014-2015vs.2016-2017

Figure6:GrowthinthenumberofTISCs:2014-2015vs.2016-2017

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TISCs:Selectedachievementsin2017Demand for TISC services

In Madagascar, 295 university students from various disciplines received training on patent information and patent databases.

In Viet Nam, around 800 people benefited from basic and advanced training on patents, patent information search, and patent drafting.

The national TISC network of Colombia received 628 technology search requests, answered 5650 enquiries, and trained nearly 7000 people.

In Costa Rica, 3268 enquiries were processed and 230 training and awareness raising activities were organized by the TISC network.

The national TISC network in Cuba provided 26 information technology packages and services to universities, R&D centers and industry to support specific research and development projects and needs.

Expanded services in the field of technology transfer and patent analytics

As part of Morocco’s “TISC 2.0” strategy, the Moroccan Industrial and Commercial Property Office (OMPIC) supported the establishment of the first technology transfer offices in the International University of Rabat and the University Hassan Premier de Settat.

The Center for Scientific and Technical Information (CIDST) of Madagascar inaugurated a “Fablab” to promote innovation in the field of new technologies, and provided training to Fablab staff on patent information and IP management.

The national TISC network of Viet Nam provided training to over 100 participants on IP management, licensing, and technology transfer as part of a new project to increase the innovation capacity of universities and research institutes.

The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHIL) introduced patent analytics in its services portfolio and started producing patent landscape reports (PLRs) for specific sectors. Anagreement was established with the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARD) wherein IPOPHL will provide PLRs that will assist PCAARD in establishing its research agenda. 26 TISCs also offered technologymanagement and commercialization services.

Validation of new tools on patents and the public domain

Nine national TISC networks - Argentina, Colombia, Cuba, Kenya, Malaysia, Morocco, the Philippines, the Russian Federation and South Africa - pilot tested the draft WIPO guides on identifying and using inventions in the public domain in selected TISCs within their networks.

Patent applications continue to grow in selected countries

In 2017, 118 patent applications were filed by TISCs in Morocco, and 185 applications were filed by the national TISC network of Colombia.

Since the establishment of the national TISC network of Kyrgyzstan, 221 patent applications have been filed with the support of TISCs, and 93 patents have been granted (2012-2017). Increased regional cooperation and visibility

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To promote South-South cooperation and an exchange of good practices, the Moroccan Industrial and Commercial Property Office (OMPIC) organized, two study visits for the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI) and the National Agency for the Promotion of Scientific Research of Burkina Faso.

The regional network of Central American countries and the Dominican Republic (CATI-CARD) strengthened its cooperation for the provision of technology information services to specific technology sectors (agriculture, health, renewable energy and water).

By the end of 2017, 17 national TISC networks had established dedicated online TISC platforms to facilitate networking among TISCs, promote their services and highlight new activities and tools, or had a dedicated TISC webpage on the national IP Office’s website:

• Argentina: www.inpi.gob.ar/red-cati-argentina• Colombia: www.sic.gov.co/programa-cati• Costa Rica: www.rnpdigital.com/propiedad_industrial/propiedad_industrial_pCati.htm• Côte d’Ivoire: www.oipi.ci/index.php?page=lieu_cati• Cuba: www.ocpi.cu/cati/204• Ecuador: cedepi.iepi.gob.ec/centros-apoyo-la-tecnologia-la-innovacion-cati/• Egypt: www.asrt.sci.eg/index.php/asrt-departments/tico/tisc• El Salvador: www.innovacion.gob.sv/cati.html• Guatemala: portalrpi.azurewebsites.net/sites/default/files/catirpi.pdf• India: cipam.gov.in/tisc/• Madagascar: catimadagascar.wordpress.com/presentation/• Morocco: www.tisc.ma/• Pakistan: www.ipo.gov.pk/ipo.php?do=NTMx• Philippines: info.ipophil.gov.ph/itso/• Russian Federation: www1.fips.ru/wps/wcm/connect/content_ru/ru/inter/tiscs• Tunisia: www.innorpi.tn/Fra/tisc_11_210• Uganda: ursb.go.ug/technology-and-innovation-support-centre-tisc/

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WIPO:SupportingTISCsandTISCnetworksWIPO supports the establishment and effective operation of national TISC networks using a four-stage project-based approach.

Figure9:StagesofTISCdevelopment

WIPO:Resourcesandtools

To facilitate access to scientific and technical information, specialized patent information and databases, and to support TISCs in building their capacities, WIPO has developed a number of initiatives, publications, training materials and tools, including the establishment of two public-private partnerships with leading patent database providers (ASPI) and publishers (ARDI).

Public-PrivatePartnership:AccesstoSpecializedPatentInformation(ASPI)program

The ASPI program offers institutions in developing countries the opportunity to obtain free or low-cost access to commercial patent database services. It is made possible through a unique public-private partnership with eight leading patent database providers.

Figure10:NumberofregisteredinstitutionsparticipatinginASPI

Figure11:NumberofactiveregisteredinstitutionsinASPI

Public-PrivatePartnership:AccesstoResearchforDevelopmentandInnovation(ARDI)program

The ARDI program aims to increase the availability of scientific and technical information in developing countries through a public private partnership with publishing industry. Over 30 publishers currently provide free or low-cost access to around 30,000 journals, books and reference works for 121 developing countries and territories through ARDI. The program is also a member of the Research4Life partnership, a joint initiative of several United Nations agencies, private sector enterprises, non-governmental organizations, and academic institutions.

Figure12:NumberofinstitutionsactiveinARDI

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Publicationsandtrainingmaterials

A number of publications have been created by WIPO to support the effective development of capacities among TISCs worldwide. These publications are key reference sources for a range of subject areas including patent documentation and databases, patent search, patent analysis, and TISC management. The publications are available in multiple languages and include brochures, guides, and WIPO Patent Landscape Reports, which examine patent filing trends and focus on public health, food and agriculture, environment, and disabilities. A selection of them can be found below:

Figure13:SelectedTISC-relatedpublications

NewPublicationsin2016-2017

In 2017, the e-Tutorial on Using and Exploiting Patent Information was translated and made available to the TISC community in Spanish and in Russian.

Patent analysis-related publications include WIPO Patent Landscape Reports (PLRs) which have been prepared since 2010 in cooperation with other UN Agencies, NGOs and Member States institutions. The reports show patent filing trends and cover topics on public health, food and agriculture, environment and disabilities. In addition, a dedicated Patent Landscape Reports database with over 200 available reports prepared by other entities was launched in

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2017, allowing searches by topic, country, and language. Additional patent analytics resources include the Guidelines for Preparing PLRs and the Manual on Open Source Tools for Patent Analytics.

Figure14:Webstatisticsonpatentanalysispublicationsandonlineresources

Platformsandtools:eTISCknowledgesharingplatformeTISC connects the TISC community and other individuals with an interest in patent information and related subjects. A range of features allow eTISC members to share knowledge and experiences across national and regional boundaries. In addition, it offers training opportunities through webinars and “Ask the Expert” sessions on various topics.

eTISC had 2049 members at the end of 2017 representing 123 countries

Figure15:NumberofeTISCmembersbygender(Source:eTISCmemberlist)

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Platformsandtools:PatentRegisterPortal

The Patent Register Portal offers quick access to online patent registers and gazettes and provides its users with detailed information about the type of legal-status-related information that is available online. As a gateway to data from over 170 jurisdictions and patent information collections, it is a first step in researching the legal status of a patent in a specific jurisdiction.

Figure16:Top10countriesusingthePatentRegisterPortal

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WIPO:Knowledgeandskillsdevelopment

Training provided by WIPO supports the development of knowledge and skills among TISC staff building their capacity to provide a range of high-quality services.

Training includes on-site workshops and seminars with a focus on training of trainers, distance learning carried out in cooperation with the WIPO Academy and webinars on specific topics. Such activities are supported with publications and training materials including an interactive e-tutorial available in several languages. The topics covered by WIPO include: basic conceptsand skills in patent searching; different types of patent searches, including state of the art,novelty and freedom to operate, as well as patent analytics.

Figure17:Trainingstatistics(Source:Listsofeventparticipants,WIPOAcademy,eventstatistics)

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2017:Newareasofworkandselectedhighlights

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WIPO:Futureoutlook

New resources are being developed to reinforce TISC capabilities worldwide.

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ISCprogramactivities

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UsefulLinks

1. WIPO TISC programwww.wipo.int/tisc/en

2. WIPO TISC Directorywww.wipo.int/tisc/en/search

3. ASPI programwww.wipo.int/aspi/en

4. ARDI programwww.wipo.int/ardi/en

5. Patent Landscape Reportswww.wipo.int/patentscope/en/programs/patent_landscapes

6. eTISC platformetisc.wipo.org

7. Patent Register Portalwww.wipo.int/branddb/portal/portal.jsp

8. Inventor Assistance Program (IAP)www.wipo.int/iap/en

9. Alternative Disputes Resolution (ADR) for TISCs:www.wipo.int/amc/en/center/tisc

10. Development Agenda Project on Technology Transferwww.wipo.int/meetings/en/doc_details.jsp?doc_id=372830

11. Development Agenda Project on Public Domain/www.wipo.int/meetings/en/doc_details.jsp?doc_id=329197

World Intellectual Property Organization 34, chemin des Colombettes P.O. Box 18 CH-1211 Geneva 20 Switzerland

Tel: +41 22 338 91 11 Fax: +41 22 733 54 28

For contact details of WIPO’s External Offices visit: www.wipo.int/about-wipo/en/offices/